We noticed that you're using an unsupported browser. The TripAdvisor website may not display properly. We support the following browsers:
Windows:Internet Explorer,
Mozilla Firefox,
Google Chrome.
Mac:Safari.

The sPa service was excellent and fairly good... - Review of Hotel Punta Islita

Great to learn that we succeeded in providing a wonderful beach getaway to enjoy some of Costa Rica's best ocean landscapes and warm hospitality. Driving to Hotel Punta Islita entails fully asphalted roads until the last 10 miles that blend asphalt, gravel portions, and depending on the time of year, muddy conditions. We are also accessible via a 35-40 minute local flight. Our reservations staff will gladly assist guests in determining what is the most suitable transportation option :) Thank you so much for taking the time to share your experiences. Pura vida!

Report response as inappropriate
Thank you. We appreciate your input.

This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of TripAdvisor LLC.

Punta Islita has been the last station we visited during our Costa Rica trip and to speak about hotels it has been our highlight.

We wanted to book a double-room but as all these rooms were fully booked we decided to take one of the casitas with plunge pool, which was a good choice. The casita turned up as a rather small villa but had a nice terrace and a private plunge pool. The bathroom was pretty small, the sitting area was nice and there are tee- and coffeemaking facilities in the rooms.

The service was excellent in the restaurant as well as at the beach. Friendly people are around just to pamper their guests. Dinner is served at the restaurant around the pool in a perfect romantic atmosphere. Once a week a dinner buffet was offered at the beach.

Staying at Punta Islita you should know that there is a lovely private beach but the stairs from the reception downwards to the beach will take about 10 minutes walk. You may spend your day at the beach, at the pool or on your terrace - anyway it's a fine place to relax.

Stayed March 2012, traveled as a couple

Value

Location

Sleep Quality

Rooms

Cleanliness

Service

Was this review helpful?Yes

Problem with this review?

Ask hansimglueckmuc about Hotel Punta Islita

This review is the subjective opinion of a TripAdvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.

Danke schon! It was a pleasure to have a chance to be your hosts. I certainly hope that you have a chance to visit us again, hopefully one of our larger offerings, a Two Bedroom Private Villa will be available for your full enjoyment. Although our Casitas are quite spacious, they are certainly much smaller compared to our Villas. Thank you very much for noting the friendly hospitality of our staff and for highlighting the romance-infused atmosphere that distinguishes dining at our 1492 Restaurant. We wish you many happy returns to Costa Rica!

Report response as inappropriate
Thank you. We appreciate your input.

This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of TripAdvisor LLC.

Punta Islita was the first stop on our honeymoon. We stayed there from 06/30 to 7/3. The resort is located in a secluded part of the Nicoya Peninsula. It is about a 3 to 4 hour drive from the airport in Liberia, along some rough roads. However, in my opinion getting there is part of the charm (My wife differs with me on this). We stayed in a suite that included a private jacuzzi which overlooked the Pacific.

Most Memorable Aspects:- Amazing views of the Pacific- Private Jacuzzi- Incredible service & hospitality provided by staff- Being able to learn about and take part in some of the sustainable work the hotel does with the local community and environment- Infinity pool overlooking the Pacific

Negative aspects:- Beach is not the best as it is located between two streams that flow into the Pacific. The beaches nearby are much better for sunbathing, swimming, etc- Unless your version of nightlife is related to wildlife, this is not the place to stay if you are looking to party it up

What we remembered most about this location is the warmth of the staff there and the beauty of the local community of Islita which the hotel works closely with. More specifically if you travel there be sure to go on a guided tour with Eduardo. He is a great guide and goes out of his way to ensure that you that every question is answered. The general manager Alonso, took the time to give me a presentation on the sustainability work the hotel does with the local community and environment. There are many places that talk alot about sustainability but very few that actually do the work towards sustainability that Punta Islita does. We look forward to returning to Punta Islita!

Room Tip: Families and larger groups should definitely get the villas which come with private swimming pool

See more room tips

Stayed July 2012, traveled as a couple

Value

Location

Sleep Quality

Rooms

Cleanliness

Service

Was this review helpful?Yes3

Problem with this review?

Ask arv105 about Hotel Punta Islita

This review is the subjective opinion of a TripAdvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.

Receiving guests from all over the world is certainly one of the more fun aspects of the travel industry. Thanks for visiting us all the way from India and for taking the time to share your insights.

I am especially thankful for your sincere interest and enthusiasm about sustainability. We are very passionate about responsible tourism practices and are quite excited to note the many successful outcomes of our program. Our thriving community neighbors and healthy natural environment are key to the Hotel Punta Islita experience. Congratulations on your wedding and honeymoon. We wish you many blessings and many wonderful opportunities to discover our planet’s wonders.

Report response as inappropriate
Thank you. We appreciate your input.

This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of TripAdvisor LLC.

My sister, and 3 friends and I stayed at the Hotel Punta Islita for 2 nights, loved it so much, we added another night. From the GORGEOUS private villa which was in pristine condition, well decorated and super comfortable, to the most beautiful infinity pool, the private infinity pool and the private hammock, to the amazing staff that remembered us and our villa name it was a dream vacation. We even learned how to surf on their beach! What a great memory that I cannot wait to return to.

Stayed November 2011, traveled with friends

Value

Location

Sleep Quality

Rooms

Cleanliness

Service

Was this review helpful?Yes3

Problem with this review?

Ask keekes1771 about Hotel Punta Islita

This review is the subjective opinion of a TripAdvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.

Glad to hear that we succeeded in providing a fun, adventure-filled friends' getaway. Our Private Villas are indeed perfect for families or groups of friends, offering multiple bedrooms, independent bathrooms, a full kitchen, spacious lounging areas, and even a private plunge pool. Thanks for detailing your experience. Surfing is one of the most fun activities ever and I am glad to learn that you tested out the waves with us. Hang ten!

Report response as inappropriate
Thank you. We appreciate your input.

This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of TripAdvisor LLC.

My husband and I spent several nights of our honeymoon at the Punta Islita hotel and resort, following our stay at the Gaia Hotel and Reserve in Manuel Antonio. Overall I would rate the total experience at the Punta Islita hotel as only average.

For the positive aspects of the trip I have to say the views at the hotel are among the most beautiful in the world. The upper (infinity) pool provides an ideal location for sunbathing, and an amazing view of Costa Rica. We also enjoyed getting to know the staff at Punta Islita-we found them kind, warm, and helpful throughout our stay. The hotel is also unique in that the rooms are separate from the main lodge, and each suite is a building unto itself-this provides a unique, private experience. We also enjoyed the kayaking tour, which was a leisure kayaking experience on one of the neighboring rivers-our hotel appointed guide was wonderful. The town of Punta Islita is very quaint, and has one church, a corner store, and an art museum that also sells some of their pieces-if you stay at the hotel it is worth the several minute trip into town to see the sweet gallery.

There are several reasons we have reviewed this hotel as only average. First, I had an allergic reaction to the bedding on our first night at the hotel-I was itching and unable to sleep to the point of hives. I should mention that I have no known allergies, and my skin is not sensitive. We requested the sheets be changed the next morning and I didn't have the problem again which only made me wonder if the bedding was in fact clean the first night. Second, the food is mediocre at best.The hotel provides two different restaurant options, the first being up at the main lodge-this is open throughout the day. The second restaurant option is a three minute shuttle ride down to the beach and is open for lunch only. The food offered at the main restaurant was awful nearly every meal, and at about $30 per plate we were beyond disappointed. The second restaurant at the beach provided far better meals, so by the end of the trip we were eating larger lunches and only ordering appetizers for dinner to save ourselves the disappointment of another terrible meal. I should have prefaced this review by noting we are the least picky eaters, and enjoy food of all types and kinds. Be prepared that if you stay at Punta Islita the only option is to eat at one of these two restaurants. There is one very small restaurant in town open limited hours, but for the most part the hotel is your only food option. Also disappointing was our concierge experience-our concierge was Mervin and we found him slightly off-putting. When we arrived and checked in he told us we had been upgraded, when in reality we simply received the suite we had paid for. This got things off to a weird start because it made us feel as if he was trying to pull one over on us. Other guests staying at the hotel told us they had the same experience upon check-in. In addition, he was very smug and sarcastic-it was definitely not a language barrier because he spoke perfect English. There was an attitude that was demeaning and quite rude. The other staff at the hotel was delightful but we found Mervin far from welcoming. Also disappointing was the beach at the hotel. The sand is less sand and more jagged black rocks. If you want to spend time enjoying the beach this probably isn't the resort for you-even our guides suggested going elsewhere (a short 20 minute ride) to another beach to swim.

Most importantly we just found the hotel was a poor value-at this price you are far better off staying at another resort in Costa Rica. Our first few days in the country were spent in Manuel Antonio at the Gaia Hotel and Reserve and we absolutely loved it. In general, everything at Islita was just "okay"-nothing special.

Stayed June 2012, traveled as a couple

Value

Location

Sleep Quality

Rooms

Cleanliness

Service

Was this review helpful?Yes10

Problem with this review?

Ask stephaniek88 about Hotel Punta Islita

This review is the subjective opinion of a TripAdvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.

Thank you for taking the time to review our property. Your opinions and feedback are important to us and we hope to find in them an opportunity to address any shortcomings. I am dismayed that we did not succeed in providing an amazing travel experience.

That is certainly our goal. I am saddened to learn that you suffered from an allergy during your first night. Thank you for noting that our staff took immediate care of the problem by changing the sheets. Please rest assured that your skin reaction did not obey to unclean bedding as you wonder. As a premium property, our laundry facilities are well equipped and a strict protocol is followed in preparing every room with fresh linens prior to guest arrival.

I have noted your comments about our menu and Marvin. Regarding the first, I kindly ask you to write to me at: outreach@grupoislita.com More specific feedback would be greatly helpful. In terms of the latter, I apologize for Marvin’s misstep. When possible, we like to surprise honeymooners with an upgrade. He should have verified your reservation details and I apologize for his oversight. More details about the other aspects of your experience with him would be appreciated as well.

As a Costa Rican, I thank you for having chosen my country as your honeymoon destination and I am thrilled to know that you enjoyed its amazing nature and beaches. Saludos!

Report response as inappropriate
Thank you. We appreciate your input.

This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of TripAdvisor LLC.

We just returned from one week at Punta Islita. We were two couples travelling together, and we had an amazing vacation. We travel twice a year to upscale beach resorts -- all over the carribean and central and south america -- and this was -- maybe -- our best trip yet. if you are looking for a beach location with sugar-white sand and turquoise water, this is not it. The beach is a black volcanic beach and very rugged and natural. It's a wide, long curving beach with beautiful rock formations and -- sometimes -- a white mist over the rocks. We thought that the beach was stunning because it was uncrowded and simply beautiful. There are sandy parts of the beach and peebly parts, but it is extremely clean. After a big rain, lots of driftwood washes up, so maybe that's what one reviewer thought was messy. The owners at Punta Islita are VERY environment-conscious, and they have left as much as possible untouched. We rode horses on the beach with Eduardo, and it seemed like a setting from a film. Gorgeous.

The staff at Punta Islita are incredibly friendly -- they are always bringing you extra treats and trying to make you as comfortable as possible. The vibe is very positive -- you can tell that the staff are well-treated and happy to be there. I know that the resort pays for staff education and allows them to take the adventure tours with their families sometimes. This is really nice because the staff can talk to you about your turtle-watching adventure, or whatever.

Our villa was amazing and, yes, the power went down once or twice and the water was not as hot as we have here, but the resort is in an isolated spot. For reviewers who have zero tolerance for that sort of thing, really, why do you choose a place that's off the beaten path? We loved the huge downpours in the late afternoon, the 5-minute power outages, and the iguanas walking through our palapa.

We are foodies and usually expect to be underwhelmed with the food at resorts like this. This was not the case at Punta Islita. The food was foodie-friendly and light and healthy. If you want huge American-sized portions of fat-laden food, go somewhere else. Our meals were just right -- the portions were regular-sized and, in some cases, quite large. All of the food is fresh and most is grown or caught on the premises.

There were some kids at the resort, but it seems more like a couples resort. There are not many kid-specific activities. Most is geared to adults, relaxation and complete chill.

Do get 4-wheel drive. You won't regret it. The drive was under 3 hours.

Room Tip: All rooms seem to have some view of the ocean. We didn't see any that were undesirable.

See more room tips

Stayed July 2012, traveled as a couple

Value

Location

Sleep Quality

Rooms

Cleanliness

Service

Was this review helpful?Yes4

Problem with this review?

Ask thewasches about Hotel Punta Islita

This review is the subjective opinion of a TripAdvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.

Thank you for detailing your experience at Hotel Punta Islita! I really enjoyed your review and appreciated how well you captured our property’s character. It is certainly off-the-beaten path and offers a wonderful chance to enjoy unscripted, authentic interactions with our local community. Our win-win partnership with our neighbors is what truly makes guests feel so at home. Thrilled to read that you also enjoyed your dining experience, noting the emphasis place on fresh, local ingredients, and healthy portions. Just want to note that families with children are always welcome and we offer excellent private villa lodging that includes a private plunge pool. Our eco-adventures are kid-friendly and we can also arrange babysitting services. The infinity-edge pool is reserved for adults and the Borrancho Beach Club welcomes guests of all ages. Perfect to set up different ambiances for our visitors. Pura vida!

Report response as inappropriate
Thank you. We appreciate your input.

This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of TripAdvisor LLC.

As the family gets ready to leave Punta Islita we sat around the dinner table at our villa "Estrella", talking about our favorite experiences and the people we met. The owners and management of this beautiful and secluded property should be commended for the staff they have assembled. Every single person we met could not have been more hospitable and accommodating. The employees are what truly make this property special. Now to a quickie version of the nuts and bolts:1) Arrival- Fly Nature Air ( Beautiful flight, short and sweet)2) Rent a Villa (Space, privacy, golf cart, private pool, enuf said)3) Horseback riding, turtle watch and zip line (all thumbs up)4) Weather-mid July (Sunny all day, rain off and on in evenings, perfect)5) Food- Breakfast (fantastic) lunch and dinner (So-so and overpriced)6) Property grounds (immaculate)7) Beach Club (Family friendly)8) Islita Beach(Rustic and Authentic, if you want a carribean beach go to the carribean)9)Village of Islita (Quaint and Charming)10) Well done Hotel Punta Islita

Stayed July 2012, traveled with family

Was this review helpful?Yes7

Problem with this review?

Ask sunnysocal17 about Hotel Punta Islita

This review is the subjective opinion of a TripAdvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.

I think Trip Advisor readers will find your excellent at-a-glance review and tips. Thank you so much for taking the time to share your insights. We are genuinely thrilled to have a chance to greet guests with memorable hospitality and eco-adventures. Will relay your comments about our dining options. Saludos!

Report response as inappropriate
Thank you. We appreciate your input.

This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of TripAdvisor LLC.

TripAdvisor is proud to partner with Expedia, Orbitz, Booking.com, Splendia, Priceline, Hotels.com, Marriott, Odigeo, Tingo and Jetsetter so you can book your Hotel Punta Islita reservations with confidence. We help millions of travelers each month to find the perfect hotel for both vacation and business trips, always with the best discounts and special offers.

Also Known As:

Punta Islita Hotel

Resort Punta Islita

Owners: What's your side of the story?

If you own or manage Hotel Punta Islita, register now for free tools to enhance your listing, attract new reviews, and respond to reviewers.

* TripAdvisor LLC is not a booking agent and does not charge any service fees to users of our site... (more)

We noticed that you're using an unsupported browser. The TripAdvisor website may not display properly. We support the following browsers:
Windows:Internet Explorer,
Mozilla Firefox,
Google Chrome.
Mac:Safari.

TripAdvisor LLC is not responsible for content on external web sites. Taxes, fees not included for deals content.